Another celebrated diamond is the KOH-I-NOOR, or “Mountain of Light.” Its history can be traced back to half a century B.C. This stone is reported by Baber, the founder of the Mogul Empire, to have come into the treasury at Delhi from the conquest of Malwa in 1304, since when it has passed through the hands of many Indian rulers, who believed that the safety of their dynasty depended on the possession of this fateful jewel.
After many vicissitudes it came into the possession of Runjeet Singh King of Lahore, who wore it on his arm set between two smaller diamonds. So convinced was he of its mystical powers, that he bequeathed it to the Shrine of Juggernaut so that he might obtain benefits for his soul after death.
His successors, however, would not allow the treasure to be disposed of in this manner, and it was subsequently presented to the late Queen Victoria by Lord Dalhousie on the annexation of the Punjaub, and was brought to London in 1850.
The Brahmins believe that the Crimean War and Sepoy Mutiny, which occurred seven years afterwards, were due to its influence, and they say that misfortune will follow the possessor until it is restored to the line of Vikramaditya.
According to ancient lore, very large diamonds should never be worn as ornaments, as they bring disaster and anxiety nor should they be used as sleeve-links or buttons or they will bring misfortune and sudden death.
The losing of a diamond was considered (and still is), apart from its material value/ an omen of mishaps.
To be efficacious as a Talisman the diamond should be given freely, never sold, never lent, never coveted, and never taken by fraud or force.
It is a curious fact that large diamonds have ever brought anxiety and often death to those who have taken them by violence and sold them ; and the strange fatality which, for so many years, seems to have surrounded the famous Hope diamond is an example.
